Summer NAMM: IMUA Ukuleles

Mim · Jul 13, 2012

These are long-awaited and worth the wait!

These are a new brand of Hawaiian hand-made ukuleles! Imua is a partnership between Jorma Winkler, and Shinji Takahashi, luthier from Japan who also makes T's, Kiwaya Ukulele and others.

Why am I excited? I played them, and they are sweet. A classic Hawaiian hand-made finish and feel! And of course the Koa... oh the Koa! Some of the best woods are being used in these ukuleles.

So of course I pre-ordered AND... ordered one for myself!

So... without further ado... I present... in about 4 different posts to include all the pictures... the NEW IMUA UKULELE which will be available in about a month!

Giddy Giddy Giddy!

Mim · Jul 13, 2012

This is a tenor!

Did I mention I love love love love love the headstock logo! So much that I could have typed more Loves! The simplicity, yet the creativity, yet, just the whole concept! Sooooo cool!

Mim · Jul 13, 2012

Here is the other tenor! Me and Jorma talked for a long time about wood grain and how you never know what will appeal! How a customer will want all quilt, no lines, how sometimes people want all line, no quilt. So the cool thing, is the wood properties of each of these ukes really gives you an opportunity to pick out which cut of Koa is "your" cut of Koa for "your" uke!

Mandarb · Jul 13, 2012

Thanks for the pic. Have a good time.

Mim · Jul 13, 2012

Here is my soprano he would not let me have! Haha! (Just kidding... I will wait... the wait is sometimes the best part. Like expecting a baby... I can get the case, and the hanger, and get everything ready for when it comes home! Haha!

Mim · Jul 13, 2012

This is the concert and this is the coolest looking one... in my opinion! Just a great uke!

smellofstrings · Jul 13, 2012

Wanna get a closer look at the headstock inlay, what's that?

Is IMUA under the Big Island Company? Thanks Mim.

Mim · Jul 13, 2012

smellofstrings said:
Wanna get a closer look at the headstock inlay, what's that?

Is IMUA under the Big Island Company? Thanks Mim.

It is a very simple lower case i for "imua" basically it is like the rounded body of an i with the dot inset. They took the inlay and did it in one direction for the body for the i and the other for the dot. I personally love the simplicity. Sort of a distinctive less is more, yet very clever.

Yes, it is Big Island Co. but it the build, feel, and everything is not like their Big Island Ukes. These are hand/luthier-made in Hawaii and they are just great ukuleles.

SweetWaterBlue · Jul 13, 2012

Those are some purty ukes, especially the quilted one.

Doc_J · Jul 13, 2012

Found a video of one being played. It sounds very responsive and bright in the video.

Mim · Jul 13, 2012

Doc_J said:
Found a video of one being played. It sounds very responsive and bright in the video.

Seriously, I dont want to crow too hard, but these really are up there with the K brands without a name that starts with a K. So it may have to be the K and an I brand ukes

Gmoney · Jul 13, 2012

They look pretty sweet! Gonna get a look at them tomorrow - they are a joint creation by well know Japanese luthier Shinji Takahashi (T's guitars) & Jorma.

BlueLatitude · Jul 13, 2012

Mim said:
Here is the other tenor! Me and Jorma talked for a long time about wood grain and how you never know what will appeal! How a customer will want all quilt, no lines, how sometimes people want all line, no quilt. So the cool thing, is the wood properties of each of these ukes really gives you an opportunity to pick out which cut of Koa is "your" cut of Koa for "your" uke!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, pretty! I want that in a concert!!!!

Mim · Jul 13, 2012

BlueLatitude said:
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, pretty! I want that in a concert!!!!

I KNOW! So pretty! I said, "pleaaaase can I take these home!" Nope. Aint gonna happen, but that is ok!

mm stan · Jul 13, 2012

Aloha MImmy,
hee hee how are the prices, are they close to Big Island Prices...I should go out and check them out..

Nickie · Jul 13, 2012

Very nice selections of wood... keep 'em coming, Mim!

tigersister · Jul 13, 2012

Beautiful! Thanks for the video. I always wonder what an unfamiliar uke sounds like. Good to know they sound as good as they look.

kvehe · Jul 13, 2012

Beautiful!

1931jim · Jul 14, 2012

Thank you for the nice pictures. I love the talent in that shop. Beautiful book matching. Nature provides such a wonderful selection, each day must be heavenly making the decisions. Also I can see the frustration that might be hiding if one is not continually on the ball and attentive to the creation. Beautiful luthiery. (ie) (spelling) Sometimes the old guy forgets. Mim I love you almost as much as my John Deere tractor.
HaHa!!
Jim

Mim · Jul 14, 2012

1931jim said:
Mim I love you almost as much as my John Deere tractor.
HaHa!!
Jim

WOW! That is the best compliment EVER!!!

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